News Focus
- Mitch Kniat leaves Arminia Bielefeld after three seasons in charge of the German second-tier club
- Assistant coaches Dani Jara and Janik Steringer also depart alongside the 40-year-old manager
- Kniat guided the team to the DFB-Pokal final and secured promotion back to the 2. Bundesliga last term
- Sporting director Michael Mutzel reveals differing future plans led to the mutual decision
- The exit follows a successful end to the campaign which saw the club avoid relegation
Arminia Bielefeld have confirmed that head coach Mitch Kniat has left the club. Both sides agreed to end the contract after three years together.
The 40-year-old German manager took charge of the 2. Bundesliga team in 2022. During his time at the club, he led them to the DFB-Pokal final last season. He also secured their return to the second division.
Kniat expressed his thanks to everyone at the club in an official statement. He showed gratitude towards the staff, the board, the supporters, and his players.
“It has been a pleasure to work for this historic club each day,” said Kniat. He described the job as a special experience.
His backroom team are leaving too. Assistant coaches Dani Jara and Janik Steringer will not stay at the club.
Sporting director Michael Mutzel explained the reasons for the split. He said they held several meetings about the future. They analysed the season together and discussed the next steps for the team.
However, their visions for the future did not match. Mutzel stated they agreed it was better to separate now. The decision comes after the club finished the season strongly and won their battle against relegation.